The Senate Education Committee passed legislation Monday to protect
teachers and school employees from facing lawsuits for doing their
jobs. The legislation had been blocked by Senate leaders in past
years, but it received a committee hearing this year thanks to the
Senate’s new 24-24 tie.

Senate Bill 1024, authored by Republican Floor Leader Owen
Laughlin, received a “do pass” recommendation from
the committee on a bipartisan 9 to 5 vote. The committee is evenly
divided with 7 Republicans and 7 Democrats.

“This bill creates a positive learning environment for our
children because it helps remove the fear that many teachers have
of being sued at the drop of a hat,” said Laughlin. “This
bill says if teachers follow the rules and follow the law, they
don’t have to worry about defending themselves against lawsuits.”
Laughlin said lawsuit protection for teachers is long overdue.

“In the past, this bill has never received a committee hearing,”
stated Laughlin, R-Woodward. “But with a tied Senate this
year, Republicans were able to give the bill a hearing and get it
passed with bipartisan support. It’s an example of how good
ideas are now being considered in the Senate.”

Laughlin noted that SB 1024 had originally been assigned to the
Senate Rules Committee, where it likely would not have received
a hearing. Last week Republican Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee
reassigned the bill to the Education Committee, where it received
a fair hearing and a favorable vote.
All seven of the Education Committee’s Republican members
supported SB 1024, along with two Democrats. Five Democrats opposed
the measure.